Improper use of Train Approach Warning Led to Fatal BNSF Rail Worker Accident

9/6/2018

Page Content

​WASHINGTON (Sept. 6, 2018) — The National Transportation Safety Board said in a report published Thursday a series of human errors led to a BNSF Railway train striking and killing two BNSF roadway workers, one of whom was the designated “watchman/lookout.”

The Jan. 17, 2017, accident near Edgemont, South Dakota, occurred when a train traveling at 35 mph struck and killed two of three workers, who had been clearing snow and ice from a track switch.

The NTSB’s investigation found the sight distance at the switch was inadequate for the safe use of the train approach warning method with a single watchman/lookout, and, the watchman/lookout did not devote his full attention to detecting approaching trains. The watchman/lookout also was not provided the equipment necessary to perform his duties as required by federal regulations. Additionally, the work group had incorrect information regarding minimum-required sight distance and lacked the required time to move to the predetermined place of safety for the work group.

The probable cause for the accident states the Federal Railroad Administration’s inconsistent enforcement of federal regulations for watchman/lookout equipment requirements contributed to the accident.

“This is the 52nd fatal accident in the past 21 years involving railroad roadway worker safety in which 55 workers have been killed,” said Robert Hall, the NTSB’s director of the Office of Rail, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials. “These accidents are completely preventable when the people involved, from the workers to the regulators, follow well-established rules and perform their duties with a focus on safety.”

Related Investigations

More NTSB Links

The National
Transportation
Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent federal agency charged with
determining the probable cause of transportation accidents,
promoting
transportation safety, and assisting victims of transportation
accidents
and their families.